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The Vatican is not pleased.
It fears that a liberal, secular society is eroding the international Catholic community by infusing the U.S. church with ideas that do not conform to modern Catholic orthodoxy. To reign in what the Vatican perceives as dangerous dissent, it has started to appoint conservative bishops and chastise members of the clergy whose preachings are seen as being at odds with the church’s strict dogma.
Imagine the surprise of U.S. nuns at being called “radical feminists.” It is difficult to consider a group of women that has pledged obedience to a male-dominated hierarchical institution as feminist, much less radical. Yet the Vatican deems some of their activities – such as making comments that appear to disagree with ideas put forth by male bishops, the “church’s authentic teachers of faith and morals” – as precisely that: radically feminist. Included in the failings on the part of the nuns is that they have not been more vocal advocates for the anti-choice and anti- contraception tenets of the modern-day church. Nuns have been rebuked for spending too much time advocating for the poor, for instance, instead of lecturing on the evils of reproduction control.
Pointing out to the Vatican that the church’s current stance on abortion is far from immutable, would probably also be regarded as radical. Yet, until the late 19th century, teachings by notable Catholic theologians were clear that the embryo is not “human” at conception and that pregnancy termination before the time that the soul enters the fetal body is not murder – therefore not the grave sin that the church preaches it to be today. The Church does not discuss or teach those theories, maintaining that it is conserving the Catholic ideals such as they have always been.
Another distasteful issue for the Vatican is that of clergy, male and female, whose “liberal” activities – such as advocating for social justice – are seen as intrusive upon the time that should be spent expounding on the church’s official policies. Many of the clergy in question draw their inspiration from the spirit of Vatican II (1962), which reformed many of the traditions that were seen as divisive between the clergy and its laity. Notably Vatican II planted the seed for liberation theology in Latin America, a movement that reached full bloom during the 1980s. Preferential treatment for the poor, advocating against social inequities, an active role in the politics affecting the disenfranchised were all central to this special brand of Latin American catholic ministry.
The Church has taken a stance against the new health care policies. In the past, the Catholic policy in the U.S. has been to advocate for reform, but the current Catholic backlash against President Obama’s landmark legislation centers around the question of contraception. Latinos, along with the majority of U.S. Catholics, find contraception to be acceptable. Perhaps it is time for the Church to take inventory of its policies; it is suffering from a significant loss of believers and will probably continue to do so unless reforms are instituted.
About Maitri Pamo
This is why I dont get too involed in church “politics”. It’s nonsense. I was raised a Catholic Latino but we never paid too much mind to the dogmatic aspects of the church, blah! Im more focused on liturgy, spirituality, and just doing my best to be a better person. Tis why I like the folk and colorful traditions of our spirituality.
What a horribly misinformed article. I say this as a latina woman who has experience working with many many nuns, both volunteering and professiionally, and knows for a fact that this article is incredibly overeaching when it tries to paint a picture of some sort of boxing match between these old out of touch male dominating bishops and the entirety of women religious who serve all the people of the world. Reality check, it was a corrective measure to WORK WITH (not “chastize”) these few select individuals or groups who have long gone against, in certain matters, their own shared and professed faith with the Church. As a person who actually lives the story being depicted here, it is so hard to just skip the feelings of frustration that come up when you read the same thing over and over about the situation. Eventually you just have to chuckle. I mean, I know the Bishop personally who wrote the letter on the issue and has been assigned to work with these nuns. The real person who gave his whole life to the flourishing of the lives of others. I know him, admire him, and even sat with him and the nuns of the Little Sisters of the Poor at a baseball game for their charity fundraiser a few weeks ago. No boxing gloves present, just popcorn. As an informed Catholic who embraces the social justice teachings of the Church and has lived them out actually serving and working for the marginalized and underpriveledged of all faiths I just ask for future writers of articles like this to please try harder! That’s all I got…you can bash me for being Catholic now.
The Holy See needs a Holy Enema. U stay “Eternal” by evolving throughout the Ages and Times, to be relevant, not to be a stagnant Dinosaur. The Vatican is lacking in its Ability to incorporate new Realities of modern Existence, as well as its Refusal to change “Traditions” that have noThing to do with Faith. These shall lead to the End of that Institution, but FORTUNATELY, not the End of the Faith, which, IS adapting and making itSelf known to Adherents.
Left the church a million years ago and that is the trend. Let’s put some nails in it already.
My Catholic Church mass is always packed!
What a horribly misinformed article. I say this as a latina woman who has experience working with many many nuns, both volunteering and professiionally, and knows for a fact that this article is incredibly overeaching when it tries to paint a picture of some sort of boxing match between these old out of touch male dominating bishops and the entirety of women religious who serve all the people of the world. Reality check, it was a corrective measure to WORK WITH (not “chastize”) these few select individuals or groups who have long gone against, in certain matters, their own shared and professed faith with the Church. As a person who actually lives the story being depicted here, it is so hard to just skip the feelings of frustration that come up when you read the same thing over and over about the situation. Eventually you just have to chuckle. I mean, I know the Bishop personally who wrote the letter on the issue and has been assigned to work with these nuns. The real person who gave his whole life to the flourishing of the lives of others. I know him, admire him, and even sat with him and the nuns of the Little Sisters of the Poor at a baseball game for their charity fundraiser a few weeks ago. No boxing gloves present, just popcorn. As an informed Catholic who embraces the social justice teachings of the Church and has lived them out actually serving and working for the marginalized and underpriveledged of all faiths I just ask for future writers of articles like this to please try harder! That’s all I got…you can bash be for being Catholic now.
Did you click on the links embedded within the article? I didn’t fabricate or overreach.
Maitri: It is not the job of the Catholic Church to “change” its principles to the beliefs of the misguided followers. It is the job of any and all followers to change their beliefs to the Catholic Church and the way of the Bible! The Catholic Church does NOT need reform! If you do not like the preachings of the Catholic Church then go somewhere else where your misguided beliefs are appreciated, or start your own ‘Church For The Misguided!’